Yakin hails impact of late substitutes in Swiss rout of Bosnia

INGLEWOOD, California June 18 : Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said a carefully planned double substitution after the second hydration break proved decisive in his side's 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, with Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas exploiting tiring opponents to spark a late scoring burst.

The World Cup Group B clash appeared destined to remain deadlocked as Bosnia frustrated Switzerland's possession-heavy approach before substitute Manzambi broke through in the 74th minute, three minutes after entering the game.

Vargas, also introduced late, added a second before setting up Manzambi's second, with Granit Xhaka's stoppage-time penalty completing the rout after Bosnia had been reduced to 10 men.

"It was very important that we had all of our energy on the pitch. This was our strategy," Yakin told reporters.

"We needed to be very patient and stay in the game. It was important that after the second hydration break we changed some things. That was the edge we had. We brought on very quick players. Our opponents ran a lot and this created gaps."

TIMING CRUCIAL

Yakin said the timing of the substitutions was as important as the changes themselves.

"We could have made the substitutions earlier, but then the opponent would have had the chance to react," he said. "That's why I waited for the hydration break. This was the right decision today."

The Swiss coach revealed he had already told Vargas, one of Switzerland's most dangerous attacking players, that he would have to wait for his opportunity.

"I told Vargas I would bring him on as soon as the opponents started to get more tired," Yakin said. "We brought him on at the right time. Today it was a tactical decision."

Manzambi, 20, justified the move with two goals